Paying Your Bill

Assistance Paying Your Bill

LITE-UP Texas Message

If you are a current participant in the LITE-UP TEXAS program, the discounts you have been receiving in 2016 on your electric bill will end with your August 2016 electric bill. For additional information and program requirements you can call 1-866-454-8387.

Lifeline

The Lifeline program is designed to help qualified low-income individuals pay the monthly cost of basic telephone service.

A resident is qualified if the current total household income is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. A resident is also qualified if they are currently receiving: Medicaid, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program support, SNAP, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Health Benefit Coverage under Child Health Plan (CHIP) under Chapter 62 support, National School Lunch Program - Free Lunch Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Number in Household

Annual Income (150%)

1

$17,820

2

$24,030

3

$30,240

4

$36,450

5

$42,660

6

$48,870

7

$55,095

8

$61,335

Each additional add

$6,240

Lifeline reduces the basic monthly telephone rate up to $12.75 for those who qualify. This program does not cover the cost of additional services such as caller ID or voice messaging. In addition, a reduction for installation of local telephone service may be available to these customers through the Link-Up program.

You can apply for Lifeline Discounts by calling toll free 1-866-454-8387 or by downloading the application below.

Link-Up

The Link-Up program is designed to reduce the cost of initiating new telephone service to qualifying low-income residents who live on approved tribal lands.

A resident who lives on an approved tribal land is qualified if the current total household income is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. A resident is also qualified if they are currently receiving: Medicaid, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program support, SNAP, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Health Benefit Coverage under Child Health Plan under Chapter 62 (CHIP), National School Lunch Program - Free Lunch Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Link-Up offers a 100 percent discount (up to $100) for telephone installation charges. Link-Up does not cover more than one phone line in the home, but the program does include an option for delaying payment on the balance of the connection fee, up to $200, for up to one year without interest charges. Link-Up does not offer financial assistance for additional services on the telephone, such as caller ID or voice messaging.

Visit the Lifeline Support website at www.lifelinesupport.org for information about local phone companies as well as guidelines for applying to the Link-Up program.

Victims of Family Violence

If you are a victim of family violence, you are eligible to have your electric service deposit waived. To qualify as a victim of family violence, you will need to provide a Texas Council on Family Violence deposit waiver certification letter. The letter must be filled out by family violence center personnel, treating medical personnel, law enforcement personnel, a Texas District Attorney or County Attorney, Office of the Attorney General personnel, or a grantee of the Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation. The letter must be submitted directly to the Retail Electric Provider using the REP's toll-free FAX number. A copy of the deposit waiver certification letter can be obtained from the Texas Council on Family Violence's Website at tcfv.org/resource-center/survivors/

Weatherization Assistance Program

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs Weatherization Program is designed to offer qualified low-income Texans an energy audit, or a review of the home's energy efficiency, and installation of weatherization measures to increase energy efficiency of their home.

A household qualifies if the income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and their home must be able to benefit from being weatherized. After the households qualify, those with small children under the age of six, with elderly residents, with a disabled resident or households with the highest energy costs and lowest income will be given priority.

The Weatherization Program offers an audit of a qualified resident's house to see if there are any air leaks or inefficient appliances that may be causing the household to pay more in energy costs than needed. Then, after the audit is completed, the program will give financial and installation assistance and to improve the energy efficiency of the home.

You can apply for the Weatherization program through your Retail Electric Provider.